Gubyaukgyi Temple

Gubyaukgyi Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Myinkaba Village, south of Bagan. It was built in 1311 by Prince Rajakumar shortly after the death of his father, King Kyansittha.

The temple is also known as cave temple, as Gu in Gubyaukgyi literally translates to a cave. The monument is a large shrine room attached to a smaller chamber. Even in all these years, the stucco-work on its exterior is still intact and well-preserved. On the interior walls and ceilings of the temple, you can see fragments and paintings that depict the Jakata tales or the previous lives of Buddha and frescoes that have ink captions written in old Mon or the ancient language of Myanmar. The temple is only lit by daylight that comes from the perforated stone windows. Picture taking is prohibited inside the temple as the flash of light may cause damage to the ancient murals.

Location

Gubyaukgyi Temple is located in Bagan, Myanmar, along the way to Nyaung-U.

Opening Days and Hours

Opens daily from 8:00 to 17:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

Tourists are to pay USD 15 for environmental fees.

How to Get There

Fly to Nyaung-u via Myanmar National Airlines.
Board an e-bike to the city centre.
From the city centre board another e-bike to Gubyaukgyi Temple.

Suggested For

Solo travelers/backpackers
Couples
Families
Groups

Time to Spend

One hour is enough to explore the area.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

The best time to visit is between 9:00 and 11:00 to avoid large crowds.

Food

There are no restaurants in the area. Nearby restaurants including Black Bamboo and San Kabar Restaurant are located at Nyaung-U city centre. Bring own food and water to be sure.